In Richmond, many calls for fewer tests

Historians worry about eliminating social studies tests

January 15, 2014|By Travis Fain, tfain@dailypress.com

RICHMOND — There's general agreement at the state capitol that Virignia students need to take fewer tests, and the philosophy behind state testing rollbacks House Republicans proposed this week "makes a lot of sense," according to incoming Education Secretary Anne Holton.

The details will take time to iron out, though. And there are concerns on the Peninsula: If the General Assembly eliminates year-end social studies tests in elementary schools, will those students still learn Virginia history?

Will fewer schools schedule field trips to Jamestown and Colonial Williamsburg?

"If we raise a generation of kids who don't care (about civics) ... then institutions like Colonial Williamsburg will not survive," said Bill White, who does educational outreach for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

"Visitation isn't my concern," White said. "My concern is, How do we ensure that history and civics — social studies — are being taught in our schools? It's how we teach children to be good citizens."

The House Republican proposal would end statewide social studies tests in the elementary grades, and all but the fifth grade science test, to focus more on reading and math. It would cut the total number of Standards of Learning tests given throughout the K-12 grades from 34 to 26.

These changes, in House Bill 930, are similar to proposals state Sen. John Miller, D-Newport News, has made for years. Miller said he'd like to cut more SOL tests, though, getting into "the neighborhood of about 20."

House Speaker William Howell said Wednesday that the General Assembly is "a long way from seeing what a final bill looks like" on test reform. Holton, Gov. Terry McAuliffe's pick for secretary of education, said much the same thing.

"The spirit of less testing, more flexibility makes a lot of sense," she said. "Getting the specifics right — we're looking forward to working with everybody."

Del. Rob Krupicka, D-Alexandria, a former Virginia Board of Education member, said he hopes to replace social studies and science tests eliminated in House Republican proposal with "authentic assessments" — projects and essay tests as opposed to the multiple-choice tests students take now.

"We need to reduce the number of high-stakes tests, there's no question," Kupricka said. "But we also have to make sure that we're teaching a robust (elementary school) curriculum."

Del. Brenda Pogge, R-James City, said she supports the House Republican proposal. She said elementary school teachers will still teach science and history, and they'll still give routine tests in those subjects. It's just the state mandated end-of-year tests that go away.

"If we don't emphasize reading in the earlier grades, then children are not going to be able to achieve in the later grades when it comes to any kind of testing," Pogge said.

Krupicka said Wednesday that he's working with Del. Tag Greason, the Loudoun Republican carrying his party's SOL bill, to incorporate some of these ideas.

"We're in the sausage-making right now," Kupricka said.

Del. Monty Mason, D-Williamsburg, said he's concerned about the effect SOL test reforms could have on Jamestown and Colonial Williamsburg.

Howell dismissed those concerns.

"You're really worrying about a lot of things when you're worrying about that," he said.